Table of Contents

The last tuna super seiner to unload in California. The photo was taken in San Diego Bay in 2000.

A dolphin-safe label is intended to show compliance with U.S. laws and regulations of tuna fishing operations. The Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act (16 U.S.C. §1385) describes the conditions in which tuna product may be labeled dolphin-safe in the United States. NOAA has implemented the Act by regulation, which among other things includes more specific documentary requirements; the regulations are codified at part 216, subpart H, of Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Related Code of Federal Regulations

Resources for Captains

In order for tuna to qualify as "dolphin-safe" in the United States, U.S. regulations require a written statement from the captain of the vessel, in most fisheries worldwide, certifying that no purse seine net or other fishing gear was intentionally deployed on or used to encircle dolphins during the fishing trip in which the tuna were caught, and that no dolphins were killed or seriously injured in the sets or other gear deployments in which the tuna were caught. For trips beginning on or after May 21, 2016, captains must also certify completion of the Dolphin-Safe Captain's Training Course. Learn about the Dolphin-Safe Captain's Training Course.

Resources for Customs Brokers

NMFS requires the submission of documentation and information supplemental to the Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) entry filing requirements for a number of seafood products, including those tuna and tuna products subject to the TTVP.

Prior to, or at the time of importation, the U.S. customs broker must submit a completed NMFS "PGA Message Set" via the U.S. CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system
containing select information found on the associated NOAA Form 370(s) and the Importer of
Record's International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP) number. Furthermore, a completed NOAA
Form 370(s) and associated certification(s) (i.e., captain, observer, and/or IDCP-member nation
certifications) must be submitted prior to, or at the time of importation, via the U.S. CBP ACE
Document Imaging System (DIS). The scanned NOAA Form 370 documentation can be
submitted either through the customs broker's respective entry filing software or via E-mail.
Either way, it is imperative that the appropriate Agency Code (NMF), Document Code (NMF-
01), and/or Document Label (NMF_NOAA_370_FCO_PKG) is used to ensure that the NMFS
TTVP receives the NOAA Form 370 and associated documentation. See the guidelines below for additional information.

Background Resources

Global Tuna Fishery

Found in temperate waters throughout the world's oceans, tuna is a much-sought-after global commodity. In the United States alone, the supply of canned tuna products was about 671 million pounds in 2016, with an estimated wholesale value of $1.2 billion. Tuna often migrate long distances, so international cooperation is needed to ensure sustainable management. There are several international management and research organizations and programs for the long-term conservation of tuna stocks and other highly migratory species.

Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)

Established by international convention in 1950, the IATTC is responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and other species harvested in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The IATTC maintains a regional vessel register that lists all vessels authorized, by the Members, to fish in the Convention Area.

Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP)

The AIDCP has been ratified or acceded by 13 states, including the United States, and is applied provisionally by another two. Among the objectives of the AIDCP are to reduce dolphin mortalities and ensure the long-term sustainability of the tuna stocks within the Agreement Area. Through the AIDCP, the International Tuna Tracking System (PDF, 5 pages) and the International Dolphin-Safe Certification System (PDF, 3 pages) have been established.

Frequent Questions

Contact Us

Please contact us with questions about the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program or Dolphin-Safe labeling.

This is the "official mark" designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce that may be used to label tuna products that meet the "dolphin-safe" standards set forth in the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, 16 U.S.C. 1385, and implementing regulations at §216.91 through 216.94.